Riley- James (Judge) - 1873
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Thursday, 20 February 1873
Judge James Riley died in this city on Thursday morning, February 13, 1873, at the advanced age of 72 years. Judge Riley was born in Sharpstown, New Jersey, on the 14th of February, 1801, and lived in Salem in that state, till he arrived at the age of manhood. In 1828 he crossed the mountains and came to the west, making Columbus, Ohio, the point of his destination. He married his surviving wife at Columbus in 1830, from which union sprang a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom arrived at the age of maturity during the lifetime of the deceased. He came to this city in 1837, and has since that year been a most useful and honored citizen. He was a man of noble qualities, possessing a heart which beat with the most generous impulses, and perhaps no man ever lived in this or any other city who had more friends and fewer enemies. His proverbial kindness, his uniform courtesy and gentlemanly conversation won the love, esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
He was largely connected with many enterprises of a business and political character which have made our city and county almost second to none in the state. By his industry and active life, he assisted to make a small hamlet assume the proportions which Crawfordsville now enjoys. He was one of the fathers of our town; but few of the residents of that time now being alive.
During his life he filled many positions of trust and honor, having been elected Judge for this district, which at that time was composed of many counties; subsequently he was chosen as councilman, representing the Second Ward of this city, and in whatever position he was placed, he performed his duty with fidelity to his constituents. He had been a member of the Masonic fraternity for some thirty years, beloved by his brothers of the lodge.
Many years ago when the old Washingtonian Temperance Society was organized in this city, he became a member, and from that day to his death remained more than faithful to his vow. He sprang from a patriotic and illustrious family. His father served with honor as Captain in the War of 1812, as the records of our National Archives will show.
The occasion of his death was the cause of more than ordinary sadness on account of a preconcerted arrangement on the part of his children to celebrate his birthday, which would have occurred the day after his death. The children assembled, but alas! Their joy was turned into mourning.
-- thanks so much to "S" for all her great obit work for this page